Ellison Lake Dam dam
Ellison Lake Dam
Ellison Lake Dam, located in Milam, Texas, is a private dam designed by the USDA NRCS and completed in 1963 for multiple purposes including fire protection, stock, small fish pond, and recreation. Standing at a height of 25 feet with a length of 918 feet, this Earth dam has a storage capacity of 245 acre-feet and a surface area of 19 acres. Despite lacking a spillway, the dam is equipped with one outlet gate for water control.
Situated on the TR-Brazos River and under the jurisdiction of the Fort Worth District, Ellison Lake Dam poses a high risk due to its condition not being rated, potentially impacting the community in case of an emergency. The dam's hazard potential is currently not available, indicating a need for further assessment and risk management measures. While the dam is not regulated by the state, it is permitted and inspected regularly, emphasizing the importance of its maintenance and upkeep to ensure public safety and water resource sustainability in the region.
For water resource and climate enthusiasts, Ellison Lake Dam offers a fascinating glimpse into the intricate infrastructure that supports various activities while highlighting the challenges and responsibilities associated with managing dams. With its unique design and historical significance, this dam serves as a reminder of the vital role that such structures play in enhancing water security and environmental conservation efforts, making it a valuable asset for the community and a subject of interest for those passionate about sustainable resource management.
Dam data reference
Condition Assessment
- Satisfactory
- No existing or potential dam safety deficiencies are recognized. Acceptable performance is expected under all loading conditions (static, hydrologic, seismic) in accordance with the minimum applicable state or federal regulatory criteria or tolerable risk guidelines.
- Fair
- No existing dam safety deficiencies are recognized for normal operating conditions. Rare or extreme hydrologic and/or seismic events may result in a dam safety deficiency. Risk may be in the range to take further action.
- Poor
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized for normal operating conditions which may realistically occur. Remedial action is necessary. POOR may also be used when uncertainties exist as to critical analysis parameters which identify a potential dam safety deficiency.
- Unsatisfactory
- A dam safety deficiency is recognized that requires immediate or emergency remedial action for problem resolution.
- Not Rated
- The dam has not been inspected, is not under state or federal jurisdiction, or has been inspected but, for whatever reason, has not been rated.
Hazard Potential Classification
- High
- Dams assigned the high hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation will probably cause loss of human life.
- Significant
- Dams assigned the significant hazard potential classification are those dams where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life but can cause economic loss, environmental damage, disruption of lifeline facilities, or impact other concerns. Significant hazard potential classification dams are often located in predominantly rural or agricultural areas but could be in areas with population and significant infrastructure.
- Low
- Dams assigned the low hazard potential classification are those where failure or mis-operation results in no probable loss of human life and low economic and/or environmental losses. Losses are principally limited to the owner's property.
- Undetermined
- Dams for which a downstream hazard potential has not been designated or is not provided.
Plan around the weather
Same NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses. Watch the precipitation column on the meteogram -- rain on the basin upstream typically lifts inflow 24-72 hours later.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind. Each cell is colour-coded relative to the column min/max.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Nearby streamflow gauges
USGS streamgauges around Ellison Lake Dam -- inflows here typically show up in storage 24-72 hours later.
| Streamgauge | Discharge | View |
|---|---|---|
| Brazos Rv Nr Highbank | 990 cfs | → |
| Little Pond Ck Nr Burlington | · | → |
| Big Elm Ck At Sh 77 Nr Cameron | 932 cfs | → |
| N Elm Ck At Rosebud Rd Nr Meeks | 11 cfs | → |
| Little Brazos Rv At Fm 485 Nr Hearne | 560 cfs | → |
| Little Rv At Cameron | 3,780 cfs | → |
Make a day of it
Boat launches, lakeside camping, fishing access, and other reservoirs near Ellison Lake Dam.
Fishing spots
Track Ellison Lake Dam in the Snoflo app
Save this dam as a favorite and get the local NOAA / yr.no forecast plus regional flow context wherever you are.
About Ellison Lake Dam
Where does the data for Ellison Lake Dam come from?
Structural and regulatory data come from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' National Inventory of Dams (NID). Weather forecast comes from NOAA / yr.no -- the same feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
NID structural data refreshes annually as the Corps publishes updated assessments. The weather forecast refreshes throughout the day.
What does the Not Available hazard rating mean?
The Corps of Engineers' hazard potential classification grades probable consequences if the dam fails: High = probable loss of human life; Significant = no probable loss of human life but possible economic loss / environmental damage; Low = no probable loss of human life, only minor economic / environmental losses. See the Dam Data Reference card above for the full definitions.
What's "% of normal"?
The current storage value compared to the historical average storage on this calendar day. 100% = right on average; values above 100% mean above-normal storage (wet year); values below mean below-normal (dry year or drought).
Can I get alerts when storage crosses a threshold?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this dam, set a threshold, and you'll get a push the moment conditions cross.
Other water bodies near here
Snoflo-tracked reservoirs and dams within driving distance of Ellison Lake Dam.